Here are a couple of photos of the rebuilt motor after install. Can't wait to get it started!!
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http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i464/GasserEd/DSC_0014a.jpg
http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i464/GasserEd/DSC_0014a.jpg
Motor Installed, finally progress.
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13,878 Posts
Very cool! Love big block Chevys! Wish my Austin would have had enough room for one!
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2,326 Posts
Nothing like the looks of a big block sitting in the front of a '55. Too bad you have to block the view with dumb things like a radiator and stuff. I'm still trying to figure out how to affectively mount my radiator in the trunk on my '63. If I ever figure it out it'll look great opening the tilt ftont end an seeing all motor and turbos. No radiator to block the view. Mark L
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64 Posts
Great looking "Rat Motor" .......... big blocks have a sound all their own ............. great work so far 
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2,326 Posts
Str8axle. My first car was a '55 Bel Air with a tansplanted 350 horse 3 duece solid lifter 348. That thing was an animal when I wasn't completely destroying the old GM three speeds behind it. Guys wanted to race me and I would tell them I had the original 265 in it but a little hopped up. I always drove it around on the center carb, disconnecting the solid carb linkage for driving around. When we would get to the race place, I would jump out and hook up the tree dueces. That was when the other guy would get a little nervous. Only race I ever lost was once when my trans grenaded, and once I forgot to hook up the linkage. Still only lost that one to a 275 hp/327 '66 Chevelle by a fender. Had a lot of fun with it. Mark L
Forgot. I lost the first two races to a '64 Fairlane with the solid lifter 271 HP 289 4 speed 4:10 rear and extras. That was right after I got the car and knew nothing about it. I had a local 348/409 guy teach me how to tune it and I challenged the dude to another race. Blew him away all three times. Made him mad as hell. Loved it. Mark L
Forgot. I lost the first two races to a '64 Fairlane with the solid lifter 271 HP 289 4 speed 4:10 rear and extras. That was right after I got the car and knew nothing about it. I had a local 348/409 guy teach me how to tune it and I challenged the dude to another race. Blew him away all three times. Made him mad as hell. Loved it. Mark L
I agree, there is a great sound from a big block. I even screwed up four of the welds to make them look like the original work someone did in the past. The welds are solid, but I went back over them to make them lumpy and did not grind it all perfectly flat. Really looking forward to getting it running and going for a drive. Wonder how far I will make it this time before I get pulled over. LOL
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"I even screwed up four of the welds to make them look like the original work someone did in the past". HA, you make me laugh you do. My welds already have that nostalgic look, not on purpose, I'm just a crappy welder. I guess I have "nostalgic talent". Heh. Mark L
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2,277 Posts
Ha!!! Then I guess mine are "nostalgic novice looking!!!"
I am just starting to learn how to weld. I have a cousin who used to be a district manager for Miller Welding (he recently retired) who got me a Miller Matic 180 MIG Welder (220vac model) I am happy to be able to tack and then let one of my "hot rod buddies" (a welder by trade) finish-weld for me.
Since the Opel was built awhile ago it does have two distinct types (looks) of welds. The original ones were done with "stick welder" and the more recent & re-do welds with a MIG which were done by a real PRO WELDER. His welds are works of "art".
I plan to spend more time practicing as soon as the cruising season winds down. With all the plans I have for the Opel I really need to be able to more than "tack weld".
I have the same welder, very nice home unit. I also have my torch set that I weld with as well. Its all practice, practice, practice and more practice. I went to a local steel yard and bought a bunch of their scrap to practice on. After about two spools of wire, I was getting pretty good. Good winter time past time.
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Wicked old post I know I’m pulling this from the grave but I am about to own this gasser and want to see if you have some info on it for me Ed ! ThanksHere are a couple of photos of the rebuilt motor after install. Can't wait to get it started!!![]()
http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i464/GasserEd/DSC_0014a.jpg
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